Posted 3 December 2008
Perth Dinner
Held at the Royal Perth Yacht Club on 2 December 2008
Those in attendance were:
Andrew Farquhar ('83)
Richard Prosser ('69)
Nicholas Hart ('78)
David Ellis ('64)
Des Lord ('60)
Branden Dekenah ('85)
Ian Allen ('68)
Derek Cohen ('61)
David Green ('68)
Ian Calvert ('66)
Brian Mills ('87)
Jack Penkin ('77)
Matthew Blackwell ('87)
Frank Lane ('76)
Harold Berley ('68)
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Posted 3 December 2008
Class of 1958 Reunion
by Nic Koch
This event held from Monday 1st – Friday 5th September 2008
Planning for the Re-Union commenced as early as November 2006 and after much corresponding and networking, Nic Koch, Frank Vautier and John Wilson were able to contact 77 out of a class of 93. Sadly, 16 of or number had passed away. Of the remainder, 42 gathered in the Brodie Room for an informal braai with our wives/partners and special guests John Ince, Sandy Edwards and Ken and Bev Ball.
We came from different parts of the world – Cape Town 22, Up Country 12, UK 4, USA 2, Netherlands 1 and Zimbabwe 1.
It was a very happy evening with long lost friendships being eagerly renewed – for some after a 50 year gap and you can imagine the catching up that took place!! The food was superb, the wine even better but best of all was one another’s company some of whom we had difficulty recognizing after such a long time. The evening ended on a high note with the SACS Campus echoing to a rousing rendition of the S.A.C. followed by the war Cry led by Head Prefect Nic Koch – which left us all gasping for much needed breath!!!
Other events which took place were: a luxury bus trip on the Stellenbosch Wine Route on Tuesday, the sunset cruise on a luxury motorized yacht with compliments of Springbok Yachtsman Dave Abromowitz on Wednesday, visits to the Junior School, High School, Rosedale and the Orange Street Campus on Thursday, culminating in a Champagne Breakfast at Michaelis House on Friday at which special guest Gordon Law, retired headmaster, regaled us with an amusing and interesting speech.
The wine route trip started with wine tasting and lunch at Hartenberg Wine Estate followed by visits to Simonsig and Kanonkop for further wine tasting. At Kanonkop we were able to drink a special toast to SACS Old Boy Paul Sauer renowned former owner, with a sampling of their award winning red wine, “Paul Sauer 2003” which had won the “World Cup” of trophies by being awarded the prestigious Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy for an unprecedented third time at an international competition.
For many, the yacht trip was the highlight of the Re-union. Table Bay was like a mirror and Table Mountain formed the perfect backdrop to the setting sun. Our helmsman, Dave Abromowitz, was hailed as the perfect host as he provided a most excellent vintage of wine to complement a wonderful and memorable evening.
Our trip down memory lane dawned on a perfect early spring day. Many of us had never seen the “new” school at Newlands. We were pleasantly surprised to visit the many, excellent facilities the newest being the Junior School’s Stuart Anderson Pavilion where we enjoyed refreshments with retiring headmaster Stuart Anderson and his successor from 2009, Francois Nel.
Needless to say the photographs lining the High School corridors occupied much of our time. How interesting - and sobering - it was to see ourselves again after 50 years – and how Father Time had taken his toll on our fickle bodies. Those strapping boxers and “macho” rugby players had to witness how their once admired muscle had degenerated into flabby fat and to the lucky ones, grey hair. But nevertheless, our many wonderful sporting exploits were recalled with much mirth and teasing and here we must apologise to the many classes we disturbed in their quest for academic excellence for which our Alma Mater has gained worldwide acclaim for nearly 180 years. As we gathered around the old School’s quad Fountain, Neil Vietch, High School historian kept us spellbound with the history of the Fountain that was once the focal point in the Quad at the Orange Street Campus and how, after 40 years, it came to be re-installed in its rightful place in the major Quad at Montebello. The Hofmeyr Hall was another highlight – to all those famous names who have “Spread the Name and Swelled the Fame of the S.A.C”
Friday morning brought a fitting ending to our week long celebrations. The breakfast wasn’t fancy. Neither was the venue but for many of us who spent many years as boarders in the Junior School’s Dryfe House and the High School’s Rosedale, breakfast at Michaelis House was like a “home coming”. The rich architectural history, dating back to the early 1900’s, the oldest building on the School Campus looking down on the SACS scene, lent a sense of nostalgia to the occasion.
Our re-union will rate as one of the highlights of our schooldays as we remembered our masters with much fondness not least of whom was “Marshyballs” as Mr Marsh of the Junior School was affectionately known. And who can forget the high-pitched voice of Wurm van Zyl as he often shouted the question “can’t you seeee; is it a pampoen or a banaaaana?”
Among other teachers who were fondly and amusingly remembered were Ernie (what’s the word I’m looking for?) Spencer-Smith, Blossom van Wyk, the politically incorrect Kaffir Wagner, Nico Vlok, Japie Irvine, Doc Freund, Geoff Dennis, Doodles De Kock, Impi Stierlin, Nancy Rowland, Doug Brown and of course the inimitable and legendary “Boss” Whiteford whose stinging sarcasm still had some of us cringing with embarrassment and his wit still ever fresh in our memories.
The general consensus was that the week of celebrations was well worth attending and our special thanks to all who attended, especially those who traversed the oceans and half of the length of Africa. Without them there would not have been a re-union!! It was great seeing each other after so many years and hopefully it won’t be too long before we meet again for the occasional drink of “something or other” in preparation for the 55th re-union in 2013.
The striking feature of the re-union was the great camaraderie and the love we all had for our great Alma Mater not forgetting how our impressionable minds were moulded by sometimes eccentric but nevertheless dedicated educationanists both on and off the field - SPECTEMUR AGENDO!!
For more photographs from the 1958 Reunion, go to the gallery...
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Posted 24 November 2008
SACS OLD Boys gather in Melbourne Australia
by Graham Brown
Old Boys celebrate a first Down Under
Melbourne old boys recently got together to celebrate what’s believed to the first official gathering of its kind in that Australian city.
Meeting at the Geebung Polo Club, a well-known Melbourne drinking and dining venue, the group represented a spread of 21 years – from 1969 (Tim Kilham) to 1990 (Paul Hoffman). Also attending were brothers Scott and Russel Williams, 1970 Head Boy Maxwell Michael and 1971 Deputy Head Graham Brown, who organised the event.
Despite the range of years, it wasn’t long before common ground was discovered and discussion centered on the teachers……. and their idiosyncracies. As expected the subject matter included teachers like John Ince, Doug Brown, ‘Doodles’ De Kock, Louis Knoetze and Marietjie Basson to name a few. ”It was a great opportunity to not only reminisce about our school days and share information on what other old boys were up to, but also to get to know each other and do some networking” said Graham.
A number of other Old Boys were unable to make the evening and sent their apologies, including Jonathan Sandler (’73), David Schutz (’84), Larry Schwartz (‘83), Richard Tate (’79), James Taylor (’99) and Andrew Castleman (’98) Photo Caption: (Photo sent previously)
Old Boys gathered at Melbourne’s Geebung Polo Club. From Left: Graham Brown (‘71), Maxwell Michael (‘70), Greg Downes (‘77), Tim Kilham (‘69), Paul Hoffman (‘90), Clive Strickland (‘71), Scott Williams (‘91) and Russell Williams (‘89)
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Posted 22 September 2008
1983 Matric Class Reunion Held in the Brodi Room, Friday 12 September 2008
by Gary Fisher
The 1983 Matrics were not known for 'towing the party line', and their recent 25th year reunion was a perfect forum to shed some light on a few of the unorthodox activities that took place during that era - so it was to treat applause by the 50 middle aged 'lads' gathered, that the great mystery surrounding the horizontal flag pole trick was
eventually settled. (See Photos).
The evening was held in the Brodie Room at the OBU pavilion, and was attended from far and wide. Several old boys came in from the UK and Europe, with one 'true blue' SACS man arriving from the USA. There were also a number of guys who flew in from different parts of SA, and a few there from as far afield as Rondebosch! Many thanks to Louis Knoetze, Duncan Middleton, Geoff Olivier and Footy for attending and representing the long suffering staff from 1983. Thanks also go out to Sandy and John from the OBU, who went the extra mile in making it an extra special evening for all.
In keeping with the suggestion by the organising committee that the '83 class take the opportunity to reflect on the enormous advantage it had through being educated at an institution such as SACS, a fund was launched on the evening to help construct several hockey dug outs to compliment the existing hockey astroturf. This initiative by the '83 Matrics will hopefully be completed by the beginning of next season and make life a little more comfortable for future generations of hockey-jocks!
The evening highlighted the importance of relationships as one travels from one season to the next in life, and of course it has to be said that the boarders once again carried the torch into the early hours...
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Posted 11 May 2008
E1 Class of 1957 - Report on the Reunion held 30 March to 3 April 2008
by Peter Morgan
Who was there - ex overseas: Ian Jones (UK), Brian Lewis (USA), Peter Morgan, David Stern, & Saul Ticktin (Canada) and Gerry Wiehahn (Greece) plus the SA attendees:
Rodney Dart, John Graham, Michael Lawrie, Jossel Lipshitz, Deon Retief, Brian Richman, Roger Scharges, Ronnie Shell and Michael Tiplady.
The Sunday Braai, turned “Catered Musical Extravaganza”, was a big success.
A very special thanks to Liz and Jossel Lipshitz for hosting such a sumptuous event in the gorgeous setting of their Clifton home. Jossel’s attention to detail did not go unnoticed. The timing, the weather, the sunset and the food selections were all perfect. Miller beer for the North Americans and a fabulous wine selection – the quality of the Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc was matched only by the company in attendance. Everyone mixed well and reminisced about the “good old days”. The Principal of the “thing” was one of the more hotly debated topics for that evening ! The starters were accompanied by a 3 piece band playing on xylophones and later the security guard, an excellent singer, was persuaded to sing a few songs as some of us enjoyed our just desserts. Ian Jones made an eloquent thank you speech on behalf of the attendees. Unfortunately Doug Brown and his new bride were unable to prise themselves apart to make the do! A very good time was, also had, by all the Clifton attendees!
Monday 11:30 a.m. – Kirstenbosch gardens tour.
After a good lunch, Brian Lewis, with an assist from Deon Retief, had arranged for the Curator of the gardens to give an excellent educational tour. Of interest was the fact that Brian’s nephew, Dylan Lewis’s wild life sculptures were in prominent display in the gardens! We were pleased to see and hear how well the gardens had been faring and it is evidentally one of the very few in the universe that is actually run profitably. May it long preserve and prosper!
Monday late afternoon – School tour and snacks/cocktails in the Brodie room
Rodney Dart organised for Phillip Samuels, who had been with SACS for 43 years, to give a tour of the relocated school. Much time was spent in trying to place exactly where each of us had sit in the 1957 class.
At 5:30 pm there were drinks and some excellent snacks arranged for in the Brodie room. The E1’s were joined by Andre Carlsen, Peter Gildenhuys, Peter Graham, Harry Gurwitz, Nic Koch, Andre Malan, Derek Nowell and of course John Ince, the executive director of the Old Boys Union. Nic Koch advised that for a modest R30 the OBU would make available a CD covering all the important SACS photo’s and articles related to the class of 1957. John Ince followed with an impassioned speech for M&M’s (money and membership). Keep up the good work John – I’m sure you will be hearing from some of us!
Tuesday – Taken for a hike, up Table Mountain, by Sergeant Gerry Wiehahn.
On a glorious day for the beach, some of us endured an over 6 hour gruelling (@ 37C), but satisfying, trek across Table Mountain. Even marathon runner Jones had Marlene (Sherpa) Ticktin eventually carrying his knapsack! Adding to the physical challenges were the many decision points posed along the route, with all the options succinctly laid out, by the good sergeant - with nary a hint or clue as to what the participants should do or what he would recommend. It was of great comfort to know that “Mother Theresa” Wiehahn, was on the ground, with her ambulance/taxi, to lend logistical support to the boot camp operation! Some of the hikers were forced to take advantage of the free ride. A very satisfying, albeit, a draining and stiffening experience!
Wednesday – “Last Supper” at the Wild Fig.
The venue and the food were excellent. Brian Richman made up for his tobacco fumes by providing the wine for both tables. Saul Ticktin made a very good speech before dinner and explained why he and Gerry Wiehahn had not seen eye to eye over the years. Both he and Rodney Dart deserve a special word of thanks for booking the venue and handling all the financial arrangements. Ian Jones repeated the only joke he had ever heard Mr Whiteford tell:
A strapping fellow had just come from a rugby match and was attempting to dance, rather clumsily, with a young lady. He apologised; “I’m a little stiff from Rugby” and she replied; “I don’t care where you are from, you are a lousy dancer!”
It was great to see so many of one’s old classmates and it appeared that a very good time was had by all. Plans are already, as suggested by John Graham, in the works for the 60th in 2017 ! The class of 1938, headed evidently for the Guinness Book of Records, will be challenged, though we will always be 19 years behind.
Your humble scribe could be persuaded to keep some sporadic e-mails flowing, especially if you can send in some interesting photographs, poignant memories and/or funny anecdotes – failing which you could be subjected to some attempts at humor, possibly unrelated, gleaned from some other humble columns and/or dubious sources.
A more comprehensive selection of Reunion photographs, including ones from the largest camera in action, will be published at a later date.
Take care and may your god go with you.
Your humble reporter at large – aka “Still stiff from Hiking”
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